While the widows of the workers killed by the South African Police Service in 2012 have since received their deceased husband’s provident fund dues, they still wait for justice. They have not been forgotten by Lonmin though, who has taken on the responsibility of their children’s education and also offered a male member of the families of the deceased a job on the mines to replace the breadwinners slain by the police. But they still say though that they have not been adequately compensated for their loss.
National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega seemed to be the biggest loser in the 600-page report on the Marikana Commission of Inquiry, the miners’ lawyer, Advocate Dali Mpofu, said. The report said Phiyega should face an inquiry into her fitness to hold office. He said the biggest question on everyone’s mind was how high up accountability was going to go. But Mpofu said this was only the first round and the matter would not rest here. At the beginning of August, the President confirmed Piyega submitted her report on why she should still be considered for office to his office.
The Presidency had released the report on from the Farlam Commission of Inquiry, and concerned parties now have until 16 August 2016 to file any civil suits they might want to in light thereof.
Click below for a multi-media feature on the history of the Marikana massacre.
